Aerospace Technology Institute releases final FlyZero aircraft concepts, technology roadmaps

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI, Cranfield, U.K.) has announced a total of three FlyZero next-generation aircraft concepts that have been created to help understand and demonstrate the potential of zero-carbon emission technologies in aviation. While the company announced its midsize concept in Dec. 2021, the regional and narrowbody are newer. FlyZero technology roadmaps have also been published, laying out the rapid development required to bring these aircraft into operation.

According to ATI, each concept, in addition to highlighting crucial future technology opportunities for the U.K., has its own specific objectives:

• The regional aircraft concept is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of a fuel cell-powered aircraft
• The narrowbody will explore how hydrogen could replace carbon-based fuels in the largest and most competitive commercial aviation sector
• The midsize assesses the potential for hydrogen to cover long-haul routes, overturning the view that hydrogen aircraft would be limited to shorter routes

ATI has also identified and investigated six key technology bricks which require development at pace to unlock liquid hydrogen flight together with enabling technologies. These are: hydrogen fuel systems and tank; hydrogen gas turbines; hydrogen fuel cells, electrical propulsion systems; aerodynamic structures; and thermal management.

In addition, ATI says seven cross-cutting technologies are critical to ensuring the accelerated introduction of hydrogen aircraft and associated reduction in carbon emissions. Each technology has its own roadmap with major findings and integration steps outlined in the Technology Roadmaps report (linked above).

A series of more detailed and technical reports together with supporting research from industry and academia are available to organizations that meet the requirements of an access test.